UPDATE - 12/13@3:50PM: I've just received some more details regarding the dates. As you can see from comparing the information below to what I reported last month and back in September the route that the tour takes is constantly changing during the planning stages. I'd first heard they'd start off in Atlantic City ... then that was scrapped in favor of kicking off in Atlantic Canada. Now it's Puerto Rico. But at least we can be fairly safe in assuming that won't change now that it's been officially announced. From what my source tells me they still plan on a couple Atlantic Canada dates too - they just won't be starting there. Nothing regarding South America was mentioned in the press release either. But from what I know they'll head to South America for a couple weeks after the Puerto Rico show and then head back up north. In addition to the dates mentioned below my source tells me that they'll also be playing at the PNC Arts Center in New Jersey, Jones Beach in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Everything as far as Northeast dates are concerned changed a bit recently due to potential conflicts involving hockey, basketball playoffs and the request by certain venues to book the band at outdoor venues. And I'm also happy to report that Rush does plan on playing a show at the Molson Amphitheater in Toronto, and that they are still on tap to play the Quebec City 400th anniversary celebration in July. More details as I get them.

Well.. the BIG NEWS hinted at yesterday is the official announcement of what we already knew; Rush will be extending the Snakes & Arrows tour in 2008. The official press release confirms much of what we've already heard and adds some new info. From the press release:

RUSH EXTEND WORLD TOUR INTO 2008

TORONTO, ON – December 12, 2007:

After a hugely successful 2007 run, Rush are pleased to announce they will extend their Snakes & Arrows World Tour into 2008. The band will begin rehearsals in March to revamp the set list before kicking off the tour with their first ever appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico in April.

2008 will see Rush tour in over 40 cities throughout the United States and Canada making stops in many where they haven’t performed in well over a decade including: Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville and Winnipeg to name a few. Along the way, Rush will play new venues in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Seattle and will revisit some familiar ones in Boston, Washington and Charlotte amongst others. Rush fans can look forward to a complete tour announcement in mid January. As details develop more information will be made available at www.rush.com and www.livenation.com. ...

Let's break this down. The first thing that caught my eye was the statement that they'd begin rehearsals in March to REVAMP THE SETLIST! Woohoo!! That's what I wanted to hear. They also confirm the April Puerto Rico date and reveal that they'll be kicking off the tour there, contrary to the rumors that they'd start off in Atlantic Canada. The following cities in the US/Canada are mentioned as some of the over 40 stops on the tour: Orlando, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville, Winnipeg, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, Washington and Charlotte. They also confirm that the complete tour itinerary will be announced in mid-January as I'd announced last month. Fantastic. What a great Christmas present from Rush. :)

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